Star Gate

Chapter 129: The Commonalities of Martial Masters (I)

“Yes!” Li Hao responded. “The ones we visited today have some extra martial masters and supernaturals. Their strength is all mediocre at Slayer of Tens and Starlight.”

As for the Sunderer at Galaxy Group, he was on the list too. He didn’t count as an under-the-table superhuman.

Qiao Mining Industries had only registered three Starlight, no more. No one under Sunderer or Darkmoon was worthy of mention. Liu Long would scan the updates himself later on.

“Hmph!” snorted the chief. “I hardly believe that with the advancement of the supernatural, these factions don’t have a single Darkmoon? This particular supernatural level has exploded in number across the land!”

The situation wasn’t what it’d been ten years ago! Or rather, Darkmoons had been rare even three years ago. But with the arrival of war in the central region, the supernatural had developed swiftly. Darkmoons were a common sight now. As small as Silver City was, the various corporations didn’t lack money. Even superhumans sometimes worked for others on behalf of money. How could these groups not have recruited a single Darkmoon?

Who did they think they were fooling?

“Do they think these are still the years of old?” Liu Long sniffed coldly. He was a haughty individual—he wouldn’t have been dissatisfied with Li Hao reaching out to Yuan Shuo instead of the law enforcement team otherwise. That had been their first meeting!

In Liu Long’s eyes, the dignity of the Inspectorate was to be maintained. These people plainly didn’t show him face! They weren’t willing to register their people even with the establishment of a Night Watcher branch. How dare they play sleight of hand like this!

Wang Ming was more charitable than the new director, or it might be more accurate to say that he’d seen his fair share of such action in White Moon.

“Director,” he consoled. “This is normal! Blatant lies happen all the time even in White Moon. I think it’s tolerable so long as they don’t cause trouble...”

“Which is why White Moon Night Watchers don’t exercise a single shred of authority in the entire province!” Liu Long snapped. “Why else would people dare misbehave when facing supernaturals?”

Wang Ming fell awkwardly silent. There were some things that he could not speak further on. Not to mention, the Night Watchers struggled under their share of difficulties. He belabored under this suffering in normal times, and there was nothing he could do but remain quiet when Liu Yan burst out with this criticism.

“Chief!” Li Hao interjected. “It can’t be helped. The Night Watchers are spread thin in the central region, so we need to keep a lower profile in a fringe province. This is normal! Otherwise, no one will have our back if anything happens. I bet this is what upstairs is considering as well.”

“Li Hao!” Liu Long’s jaw dropped. How are you spouting the same drivel as upstairs after becoming a senior officer? You weren’t like this before!

A general air of discontent circulated when the team previously spoke of the Night Watchers, finding the agency to be less than helpful. They didn’t do much when such big affairs occurred in Silver City. So the lad betrayed them as soon as he was promoted?

Even Wang Ming regarded his counterpart with contempt. This guy turns whichever way the wind is blowing! How shameless!

“Chief, did you forget that we’re Night Watchers?” Li Hao grinned. Insulting the agency now was to insult themselves! “Since we’re real Night Watchers now, we should maintain their dignity like it is ours. Cursing at them everyday is self denial. It that’s the case, why establish a branch in Silver City?”

Liu Long started, his thoughts straining to catch up. He’d grown too used to his previous life and it was a struggle to adapt to new circumstances. Li Hao was right, they were Night Watchers now. If he continued to sneer at their incompetence, he was sneering at himself. If he didn’t take pride in his position, he wouldn’t meld with the Night Watcher system. How would he help the agency stand with upheld heads and win fear and respect?

“That’s right... we’re Night Watchers now!” Liu Long sighed emotionally, suddenly disinterested in the proceedings. He waved his hand, indicating their dismissal.

Wang Ming turned on his heel without a word, turning back with surprise when he found that Li Hao didn’t move.

“I have some other things to report,” whispered the young man. He winked knowingly.

Wang Ming understood! The tenth member! It looked like Li Hao wanted to make this report alone. He couldn’t get involved.

Forget it, he wouldn’t ask any questions in case he accidentally betrayed the kid.

Wang Ming left without another word, the very picture of cooperation.

......

Liu Long’s forehead creased into a frown as soon as they were alone. “Is there something else?”

“Chief, there’s some hidden supernaturals among the places we visited.”

“You discovered them?” Liu Long was taken aback.

“No, Wang Ming and I discovered them together. He has a special ability...”

Liu Long looked skeptically at the young man. Seriously? Then why isn’t he here making the report himself?

“He doesn’t want to say anything because he’s too full of it. He thinks someone as great as a White Moon native shouldn’t have to consort with bumpkins like the chief!”

“......” Liu Long continued to regard Li Hao with skepticism. “You’re not making this up, are you?”

Li Hao sometimes seemed like a walking bag of ulterior motives and nothing good, but sometimes was simple, honest, and dependable. He was very complicated and very perverted.

Li Hao leered without a word.

The kid’s definitely making this up! Liu Long cursed.

“Speak.”

“Chief, let me first ask—do we eliminate strongholds of the three great organizations if we find them in the city?”

“Of course!” Liu Long barked. “They’re not all bad, but any in Silver City at the moment are bad! Have you forgotten the Demon Hunter motto of punishing the wicked and eliminating evil?”

How could Li Hao question this?!

“To safeguard justice!” Li Hao nodded with a solemn expression. “To uphold justice, maintain peace, and eliminate evil. The Demon Hunter spirit will never be extinguished!”

“Go on then,” said a mollified Liu Long. “Have you discovered traces of the three great organizations?”

“Yes.” Li Hao nodded. “A Yama branch!”

“Not Red Moon?”

“No, it’s Yama. Sis Liu confirmed it, the Qiaos!”

Liu Long’s eyes darted around as he took a minute to collect his thoughts. Being aware of his deputy’s situation, he’d guessed it would have something to do with Liu Yan as soon as Li Hao mentioned the Qiaos.

“Are you sure?” The man frowned. “Liu Yan had her suspicions before, even I did, but there was no evidence to support or refute it either way. You must know that we are justice, but that doesn’t mean we can execute without a crime!”

Justice still resided in his heart. They needed basic evidence and logic to kill someone—if the absence of such, they could not take action. If they did, they would be no different from supernaturals that butcher innocents.

Thus, even though Liu Yan once said there might be something afoot at the Qiaos, which resulted in his own investigation, he gave up when he returned empty-handed. Liu Long even snuck into the Qiao residence and stood right next to Qiao Senior, quietly observing the other for a few days. Only when he was certain nothing was amiss with them did he give up the chase.

The death of Liu Yan’s husband could only be categorized as an accident. Of course, the killer remained on their wanted list.

“No evidence is needed.” Li Hao smiled. “Just one point—Qiao Feilong is a powerhouse and sheltering several others. Is that enough?”

“You’re joking!!” Liu Long snorted. “If a Slayer... no, a Slayer who hasn’t trained in many years counts as a powerhouse, then I cannot refute what you say. I’m too familiar with Qiao Feilong!”

“Are you close to him, chief?”

“Of course!” Liu Long smirked. “Let’s put it this way, I’ve seen every inch of his body!”

“......” Li Hao’s jaw dropped! You... you guys have... Can I say this or not?

“I once stood at the foot of his bed in the dark and stared at him for several days...”

“Chief!” The shocked young man understood. “It’s amazing that you’re still alive!”

Oh my god.

You followed a Solar and stood at the foot of their bed for several days. This can only mean one thing—Qiao Feilong laid there for you to watch because he wanted to remain hidden.

Otherwise, he would’ve slapped you dead at the beginning. A Sunderer standing right next to a Solar for days and even watching him pee... You’re seriously perverted.

“What do you mean?” Liu Long frowned. “You mean he’s concealed his strength? Impossible!” Being no fool, he grasped the implications. “He had no supernatural ripples and while it’s difficult to visibly identify a martial master’s level, you can tell a thing or two from the skin’s toughness and luster. It’s not as specific, but some conclusions can be drawn.”

He trusted his judgment.

“A Solar!” Li Hao intoned.

“......” Liu Long froze and stared dumbly at Li Hao. “What?”

“A Solar!”

“Ah...” Liu Long fought to process the revelation. He stood up in a daze, looking back at Li Hao. He wanted to say something, but stopped himself.

“My teacher’s sure of it!” Li Hao swiftly answered, knowing what the captain wanted to know.

With Yuan Shuo endorsing the identification, Liu Long understood that this was true. He could doubt Li Hao, but there was no need to suspect Yuan Shuo. If Yuan Shuo said so, then it must be so.

A Solar! Liu Long blinked dazedly. Silver City had a Solar in residence, and one of its own! Indeed, if Qiao Feilong was a Solar, then he was the strongest in the city.

Liu Long had been worried that Silver City was slated for migration and how they’d find it impossible to gain footing without any powerhouses. But now, the city had one!

What a pity that their powerhouse hadn’t stepped forward when the city was in danger. He was absent when Red Moon attacked and he was absent when the other supernatural cases occurred.

Qiao Feilong!

A Solar who concealed his identity and even permitted Liu Long to keep him under surveillance without revealing anything amiss. The death of Liu Yan’s husband absolutely had something to do with the Qiaos.